Device for turning electric-car signs.



No. 770,125. PATENTED SEPT. 13, 1904.

J. M. SMITH.

DEVICE FOR TURNING ELECTRIC CAR SIGNS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

\A/ L'E'I-LEEEEE J Infanhzr= MCMW i W M/. m

UNITED STATES Patented September 13, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH M. SMITH, OF IVORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR'JOF ONE-HALF TOGEORGE L. CHURCH, OF VVORGESTER, MASSACHU- SETTS.

DEVICE FOR TURNING ELECTRIC-CAR SIGNS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,125, dated.September 13, 1904. Application filed January 25, 1904:. Serial No.190,482. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH M. SMITH, of the city and county ofWorcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Devices for Turning Electric-Car Signs; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 represents a verticalsection through the upper front end of an electric car, showing a frontside view of the usual triangular rotatable sign thereon and my improveddevice for turning the same from the inside of the car. Fig. 2 is anenlarged view of said device and part of the sign shown in Fig. 1, allthe following figures also being shown upon the same enlarged scale.Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line a, Fig. 2, looking up and showinga bottom view of some of the operating parts of the device not clearlyshown in the other figures; and Fig. 4 represents a top or plan view ofthe parts shown in Fig. l with the central portion of the sign brokenaway.

The object of my invention is to provide a device connected with thepivot-shaft of the usual sign on an electric car whereby said sign maybe turned from the interior of the car to indicate the destination ofsaid car.

Said invention consists in combining with I the top of the car and thehorizontal pivotshaft of the sign a vertical shaft fitted to turn. insuitable bearings in the car-top, gearing for connecting said verticalshaft with the pivot-shaft of the car-sign, means whereby said verticalshaft may be turned from the inside of the car, means for fastening saidvertical shaft in any adjusted position, an adj ustable name-platefitted over the vertical shaft and attached to the car-top having thesame names printed thereon as upon the car-sign, and an adjustableindicator mounted on said vertical shaft for indicating the name it isdesired to have displayed upon said car-sign, all as will be hereinaftermore fully set forth.

To enable others to better understand the nature and purpose of my saidinvention, I

and the other bearing, C, with a removable cap C to admit of the otherend of said shaft being placed and held in said bearing. Upon said endof shaft B is mounted and secured a bevel-gear D, which engages with abevel-gear E, fastened to the upper end of vertical shaft F, which isfitted to turn in a suitable bearing in the car-top and in a bearing G,secured to the interior side of the car. be held in position verticallyby a suitable collar F, fastened to the shaft above the car.

The bottom of shaft F is provided with a suitable handle H, whereby itmay be turned to operate the gearing and in consequence the sign B, andupon said handle is arranged a spring-catch I, whose upper end isadapted to engage with holes or notches G in the bearing G, being heldin engagement therewith by the spring I, also attached to handle H.

The upper end of the catch is disengaged from bearing G by pressinginward on its lower end.

To the under side of the car-ceiling is attached a name-plate J,preferably the same shape in outline as the cross-sectional shape of thesign B'in this instance triangular in shape. The same names are printedon said interior plate as on the exterior sign, a name being printedupon each side of the triangle, as shown, corresponding to each side ofthe sign. Said name-plate is in practice construct- .ed so that it maybe readily removed and replaced by another to correspond to the signused upon the exterior of the car, so that one may correspond with theother. Beneath said name-plate 011 the vertical shaft is arranged anadjustable indicator K, which may Said shaft F maybe fastened on theshaft to point in any desired direction.

In practice the various parts are so adjusted as to bring one of theholes or notches G in the bearing G in the proper position to hold theshaft, so that the indicator will point to the same name on the plate .Ias is represented on one of the sides of the sign. When a certain nameis desired to be displayed on the signas, for instance, Union stationthe conductor from the inside of the car grasps the handle H andcompressing the handle of spring-catch I forces its upper end out ofengagement from the fixed bearing G. He then turns shaft F to bring theindicator K thereon in line with the name on plate J that is desired tobe exhibited on the car-sign,

which causes said sign to be turned through the connections previouslydescribed to bring the desired name facing front from the car, any othername being of course exhibited in the same way by simply turning theindicator so as to point to the name on the plate that is desired uponthe exterior sign.

By the use of my device much trouble and inconvenience, as will be seen,is obviated in changing the car-signs which have to be changed at thetermination of each trip, and it is of especial advantage in cold orstormy weather.

In practice it is designed toprotect the exterior working parts with asuitable hood; but as it does not constitute a part of my invention Ihave not illustrated the same. The construction of the parts may bevaried more or less in practice in carrying out my invention, and Itherefore reserve the right to make such modifications therein as comewithin the principle thereof.

Having now described my invention, what I claim therein as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of the car-top and the horizontal shaft of the usualrotatable sign of an electric car, with a vertical shaft fitted to turnin suitable fixed bearings, gearing for connecting said vertical shaftwith the sign-shaft, means for controlling the vertical movements of thevertical shaft, and for turning said Vertical shaft from the inside ofthe car, means for fastening said vertical shaft in any adjustedposition, an adjustable name-plate arranged over the vertical shaft andadjustably secured to the ceiling of the car, and an indicatoradjustably secured to said vertical shaft adapted to point to a name onthe name-plate corresponding to the name to be displayed on the exteriorsign, substantially as set forth.

JOSEPH M. SMITH.

Witnesses:

ALBERT A. BARKER, EVERETT N. BARKER.

